Researchers hope Michigan animals ready for their close-ups

Published 12:51 pm, Wednesday, November 16, 2016

PELLSTON, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan wants to know where the wild things are — and what they do.

The Ann Arbor school says it has installed motion-triggered "camera traps" to document the state's wildlife. The camera systems have been installed in three places: near the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula, the Upper Peninsula, and a wildlife refuge near Saginaw. A fourth is planned in Detroit.

The researchers are mainly interested in meat-eating animals and their daily activities, habitats and diet. The data is expected to help wildlife and conservation officials gain greater insights as the animals deal with urbanization and climate change.

To identify the animals, scientists have enlisted help from volunteers, including students, as part of the project launched this month called "Michigan ZoomIN."